Page 11 of Brooks

The six of us walked through an unlocked door and the interior was practically empty. There were two couches in what would be considered the main living area but no other furniture or decoration. When I followed Declan into the dining room, I was surprised to find a large table and modern kitchen off to the side.

Kyle, Max, and Thad had disappeared leaving me alone with Brooks and Declan.

“Where’d everyone go?”

“Kyle and Max will take post on the second floor and Thad’s going to the safe,” Declan answered.

“Are you expecting an invasion?”

“No. But we weren’t expecting an assassination attempt this morning, either.”

“Touché.”

“Do you have any idea who would want to kill you?” Declan started.

“Boy, you don’t waste time, do you? Brooks and I are still wet from our little swim and you’re just diving right in.”

Okay, I was stalling. It was nearing a hundred degrees and my shorts and t-shirt were mostly dry already. Brooks had to be uncomfortable in his damp cargo pants and… when had he taken off his boots? And why was I staring at the man’s bare feet?

Thad came back in the room and set a Sig P226 on the table in front of Brooks. He simply nodded his thanks, dropped the magazine, checked it was loaded, slammed the mag back into place, and tucked it into the back of his cargo pants.

“Tatiana,” Declan snapped.

Shit. So much for trying to delay. I had to give them something. “Not everyone in the region is happy I’m here. My last report outlined the instability in the area.”

The last part of my statement was a complete fabrication. I hadn’t turned in any reports.

“Bullshit,” Thad spoke. “A report about Bahrain’s volatility isn’t something new. You said you had something going down in a week. What do you have planned?”

“Need to know,” I answered.

“We’re in the need,” Declan said.

“You’re not even in the ballpark, Declan. I understand why your team is here. You have an objective. I have no doubt you can complete your mission and head out.”

“Doll, someone tried to kill me today—”

“No. They tried to kill me. You had the unfortunate luck of being with me. And I will point out again if you hadn’t pulled that stupid stunt this morning, you wouldn’t have been.”

“Are we seriously going to stand around and split hairs about who was the target?”

“There’s no splitting anything. You’ve already pointed out anyone making an attempt on your life wouldn’t have been so careless. We all know I was the intended target. End of story. I’m not at liberty to tell you why I’m here. I’d appreciate the respect of you not asking again. Now since we’re at an impasse, if someone will take me back to the dock, I’d like to go home. I have work to do.”

“And how do you plan on getting home from the dock? I’m sure your keys are on the bottom of the Gulf.” Brooks smirked.

Ass.

I shoved my hand in my pocket, unclipped my car key from the safety pin, and held it out for him to see.

Before I could wipe his nose in the fact I wasn’t a rookie, Thad cut in. “We have company.”

“Feel like talking yet?” Declan asked again.

“Nope. But the sooner I’m away from you five the faster you’ll be able to complete your recon without people shooting at you.”

“This happen to you often?” he continued.

“Typically not twice in one day.”